• Last updated: 2024-09-27 05:50

Episode 17 recap: A Close Call Due to Brotherhood

In episode 17, Lin Shaobai goes missing, prompting the police to search for him, leading to several docks being shut down. Huzi brings Xu Wei in for questioning, asking if Lin Shaobai is affiliated with him. Xu Wei is evasive in his response, and when Huzi asks if he knows Bing Weimo, Xu Wei claims not to know him. He pretends to angrily hit Lin Shaobai, but secretly slips a piece of wire—helpful for unlocking things—into his hand, knowing Lin Shaobai is skilled at picking locks.

Huzi orders Xu Wei to be taken away, relaying Dai Yueqing's instructions for Xu Wei to send a message to Boliao, stating that they need to meet again to negotiate before distributing counterfeit money through the Hook Gang's docks. After unlocking himself, Lin Shaobai injures someone and hides behind a car. Xu Wei pretends to leave but returns, firing to cover Lin Shaobai's escape. Lin Shaobai manages to get away without killing Huzi from the Hook Gang.

Once outside, Lin Shaobai finds Xu Wei waiting by the car. They share a strong bond and, without a word, Xu Wei tosses him a bottle of antiseptic before getting into the car. Lin Shaobai tries to convince Xu Wei to turn back, but Xu Wei feels he has too much blood on his hands to do so. Having saved Lin Shaobai today proves he hasn't changed, but Lin Shaobai refuses to give up. Xu Wei, however, aims his gun at him.

While he doesn't shoot Lin Shaobai, he fires a few shots at the ground near Lin Shaobai’s feet before driving away. Lin Shaobai doesn’t return home or call the station. Instead, he seeks help to stitch up his wounds and informs his family that he won’t be home for dinner in the next couple of days. Coincidentally, Lin Er’s mother is chatting with Lu Zhengyang when she hears that Lin Shaobai called, prompting Lu Zhengyang and Huzai to rush to find him.

Lin Shaobai tries to act nonchalant, but the injury on his head is hard to hide, while the one on his abdomen can be concealed. He pretends to be relaxed and doesn’t mention his abdominal injury. Lin Shaobai leads Lu Zhengyang to find Qin Ye, claiming he is the head of the major gangs in Shanghai and must have some leads. After Lin Shaobai speaks a coded phrase, Qin Ye notices the wound on Lin Shaobai’s abdomen and realizes it’s from the Hook Gang.

Qin Ye shows him a photo of himself with Dai Yueqing, noting that although he hasn't interacted with her in recent years, he has heard she has reorganized the Hook Gang. Since learning that Jiang Yang has two children, Jin Maochang has arranged for them to attend private tutoring classes.

Grateful, Jiang Yang meets with Jin Maochang, who offers him a position as his assistant, providing Jiang Yang with a legitimate identity. Jiang Yang expresses his gratitude and vows to catch Ying Huan. Lu Zhengyang suspects Xu Wei helped Lin Shaobai escape, and Lin Shaobai admits the truth to him.

Lu Zhengyang warns Lin Shaobai that Xu Wei was previously with Wang Liqun, but since Wang and Yang Hui have died, Xu Wei is likely deeply involved with the counterfeit money operations. Lin Shaobai promises to capture Xu Wei next time they meet. Jiang Yang notes the transport routes of the smuggling team, concluding that Ying Huan’s superior is contacting them through deliveries, with the Lan Ting studio being the most frequent point of contact.

The police have already monitored the Lan Ting studio, making it unwise to have another murder there, so Jin Maochang instructs Jiang Yang to keep watch. Dai Yueqing meets with Boliao and proposes two conditions for their continued collaboration: the Hook Gang must be the sole source of counterfeit money, and Xu Wei must be killed as an example. To save Xu Wei, Boliao agrees to provide Dai Yueqing with a set of currency printing plates.

However, he later instructs Xu Wei to gather more people to eliminate Dai Yueqing and take over the Hook Gang’s docks and assets. Meanwhile, Dai Yueqing manages to acquire a printing machine, while a suspicious Huzi wonders if Boliao will willingly hand over the currency printing plates.